in this Diary.  With what seems to me unnecessary frankness the publisher refers to the Commander’s “incredible exploits and adventures on the high seas.”  For my own part my powers of belief in regard to the War are almost unlimited, and the only thing that really staggers me here is the mentality of the diarist.  From the record of his purely private life, which is also exposed in these pages, I gather that he was as unfortunate in love as in war; but he seems to have loved with a whole-hearted passion that goes far to redeem him.  I must add a word of praise for Mr. FRANK MASON’S illustrations, which contributed generously to my entertainment.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Alexander (bored).  “LIFE IS VERY DULL, MY DEAR ROX.  NO MORE WORLDS TO—­”

Roxana. “OH, NONSENSE, ALEC!  THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO.  I WISH YOU’D GO INTO THE KITCHEN AND DISCHARGE THAT CAPPADOCIAN COOK.  SHE DRINKS.”]

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Epilogue]

AN OPEN LETTER TO FRANCE.

Mr. Punch had kissed the lady’s hand and she had smiled upon him very graciously, for they were old friends.

“I have brought you a letter from myself,” he said.

“Shall I read it while you wait?” said Madame la France.

“Please, no.  I never read my contributors’ compositions in their presence.  It is embarrassing to both sides.  And I want you to take your time over this one, and consider carefully whether it is suitable for publication in your Press.  I have enclosed a stamped and addressed envelope, to be utilized in the event of your deciding to return my communication with regrets.  In any case I propose to publish it in my own paper, The London Charivari.”

[Here begins the letter:—­

“NEAREST AND DEAREST OF ALLIES.—­You and I (I speak for my country, though I have not been asked to do so) have gone through so much together that it would be an infinite pity if any misunderstanding were suffered to cloud our friendship for want of a little candour on my part.  No Entente can retain its cordiality without mutual candour; and hitherto the reticence has been all on our side.

“Not when your splendid courage and your noble sacrifices gave us a theme; then we were always frankly loud in our admiration; but when we reflected upon what I may venture to call your faults and failings.  Whatever we may have thought about them during all those terrible years, you will find in our public statements no note of criticism and not a single word that did not breathe a true loyalty.  You too were generous in your praise of us when we won battles; and at the end, with your own FOCH for witness, you were quick to recognise what part we played in those great Autumn days that brought the crowning victory.  But it almost looks as if your memory of our brotherhood in arms were beginning to fail; as if we, who were then hailed as your ‘glorious Ally,’ were about to resume our old name—­it has already been revived in some quarters—­of ‘Perfide Albion.’